Quiz: Howstuffworks

Only 1 in 28 People Can Identify these Medieval Jobs from an Image. Can You?

Khadija Leon

Image: Shutterstock/Schorle via Wiki Commons

About This Quiz

Long before we had Uber drivers, FBI agents and clinical psychologists, there were many different kinds of jobs which helped build our society to get to where it is today. From the lowly kitchen scullion and the always dirty chimney sweep to knights who protected the monarchs and courtesans who kept the rich and powerful "company," there was a job and place for everyone in medieval society.

The Middle Ages or Medieval Period started from the 5th century up until the 15th, and while everyone believed that it was a simple time, the truth is, the working world was much more difficult than the one we know today. There was rarely any opportunity to climb up the figurative 'ladder' and there were even fewer options for those who wanted to switch careers. Many people either followed in the footsteps of their families while others did what they were naturally good at.

If you were given images of people performing their duties during that time period, would you be able to guess what the name of their occupations was? Well, this quiz was designed to test just that. Take it to see how much you know about medieval people and their jobs.

Zyance via Wiki Commons

What is this medieval profession?

Cowherder

Farmer

Miller

Ostler

A miller was responsible for operating and maintaining mills, often times producing grain by grinding wheat in some type of machine, (a mill) in order to sell to the public and bakers.

Shutterstock

What is this medieval profession?

Shepherd

Cobbler

Woolcomber

Forester

A cobbler was one of the lower status occupations who were responsible for repairing worn or damaged shoes and boots. They also worked with other materials such as rope, wood and cloth, as they were also used to make footwear.

Shutterstock

What is this medieval profession?

Gamekeeper

Oyster raker

Artist

Playwright

Playwrights, poets and dramatists are all different types of artists known for writing poems and plays, which were often performed at different theaters or public gatherings.

Schorle via Wiki Commons

What is this medieval profession?

Stone mason

Sculptor

Tailor

Glover

A stone mason is a type of craftsman whose job included drawing, designing, engineering and building houses and buildings specifically out of rocks and stones.

Wiki Commons

What is this medieval profession?

Weaver

Porter

Locksmith

Shoemaker

Porters worked in different castles and monasteries at the main entrance to ensure that no one entered or left the compound without permission. They were also responsible for the main guardroom.

Bodow via Wiki Commons

What is this medieval profession?

Fletcher

Stringer

Cobbler

Blacksmith

A blacksmith is a type of craftsman who traditionally worked with iron or steel. They were tasked with forging weapons from metals in fire as well as sharpening and repairing them.

Wiki Commons

What is this medieval profession?

Knifesmith

Silversmith

Courtesan

Beekeeper

A courtesan, sometimes called a mistress or high-class prostitute, was a person who provided companionship and sexual favors to royals and powerful people who were already married.

Shutterstock

What is this medieval profession?

Minstrel

Basketmaker

Brewer

Bellmaker

A minstrel is a person who provided entertainment in castles, often in the form of playing a musical instrument or singing. They were known for their storytelling abilities.

BBC

What is this medieval profession?

Chandler

Shipwright

Miller

Stonecutter

A chandler, sometimes called a candle maker, was a person who was responsible for creating candles (and in some cases soap), as well as being responsible for the room that they were kept in.

BBC

What is this medieval profession?

Reedmaker

Armorer

Sailmaker

Wheeler

An armorer is a craftsman who had the task of making or repairing personal armor. The phrase can also refer to someone who maintains an armory of ammunition and explosives.

Shutterstock

What is this medieval profession?

Bandit

Bawd

Bailiff

Falconer

A falconer is a person who trains and raises birds of prey, one of which is the falcon. These birds were usually owned by royals and the falconers were tasked with tending to their needs.

BBC

What is this medieval profession?

Poet

Chancellor

Physician

Watchman

A physician, or doctor, is a medical professional who performed non-surgical duties, often diagnosing and treating with medication and lifestyle changes. There were also plague doctors who were known for wearing beaked face masks.

Shutterstock

What is this medieval profession?

Tailor

Nobleman

Banker

Apothecary

Tailors, just like those today, were responsible for designing and constructing clothing for a small portion of the population. They were known for creating everything from underwear to ball gowns.

Shutterstock

What is this medieval profession?

Inn keeper

Sculptor

Knight

Peddler

A sculptor is a type of artist who specialized in sculpting. Their molding materials included everything from stone, metal, clay and wood and even glass and other ceramics.

BBC

What is this medieval profession?

Grocer

Archer

Knight

Plowman

Plowmen had some of the dirtiest jobs in medieval times. They were responsible for loading carts of cow manure to be sent to the field in order to plant crops. Some of them also plowed the fields into rows for the crops.

BBC

What is this medieval profession?

Admiral

Scullion

Spy

Cartwright

A scullion is a type of servant who was assigned to do the most menial kitchen work, in other words, they were the lowest of the kitchen workers and had to clean and wash dishes.

BBC

What is this medieval profession?

Bowyer

Chaplain

Bishop

Fisherman

A chaplain is a type of cleric (religious leader) which represented the church at hospitals, prisons, schools and various other places. Some of them also had duties similar to that of a clerk.

BBC

What is this medieval profession?

Cardinal

Nun

Butcher

Hobbler

A butcher is a person who slaughters and/ or sells meat. They are known for preparing them for retail, often at produce markets and different shops. Some were also tasked with domesticating livestock.

BBC

What is this medieval profession?

Scribe

Barber

Laundress

Teller

A scribe is someone who was responsible for writing different books, letters and manuscripts and in some instances, reading them, usually at religious establishments and royal castles.

Jarosław .Kucybała via Youtube

What is this medieval profession?

Gardner

Wetnurse

Bailiff

Farmer

A bailiff is a type of legal officer who was responsible for keeping the peace in a courtroom, as well as enforcing the rules and providing protection for the acting judge.

Wiki Commons

What is this medieval profession?

Beggar

Groom

Pilgrim

Housewife

A groom, sometimes called a stable boy, is a person who was responsible for the management of horses and in some cases the stables as well. It could also refer to someone who was employed by a stable owner.

Shutterstock

What is this medieval profession?

Ackerman

Dairymaid

Shepherd

Bandit

A bandit is a person who mainly commits the acting of stealing goods or money. In medieval times, they usually did it groups called gangs but were also known for acting alone.

Wiki Commons

What is this medieval profession?

Tillerman

Falcomer

Chamberlain

Gamekeeper

A Chamberlain was a type of senior royal officer who was in charge of managing the royal household and their budget. They were also required to collect the revenue and pay the expenses of the house.

Wiki Commons

What is this medieval profession?

Sculptor

Limner

Reeve

Composer

Reeves were senior officials who were responsible for supervising work being done at a royal or high-ranking official’s property. They were responsible for ensuring that work began and ended on time.

Alistair Young via Wiki Commons

What is this medieval profession?

Rat catcher

Squire

Mason

Carpenter

Squires were junior knights known for running the errands and learning about the etiquette and traditions of the court. They were required to serve for seven years before becoming knights.

Wiki Commons

What is this medieval profession?

Tailor

Cooper

Mason

Page

A page or page boy, is a young male attendant who plays the role of a servant and messenger to a nobleman. These boys may or may not have come from noble houses and upon reaching the age of seven, leave home to serve.

Wiki Commons

What is this medieval profession?

Milkmaid

Shoemaker

Tailor

Rug maker

A milkmaid is a girl or woman who milks cows, which is to be used to prepare dairy product including but not limited to cream, butter, cheese and yogurt.

BBC

What is this medieval profession?

Blacksmith

Rope maker

Gardener

Cobbler

Medieval gardeners were tasked with managing the ivy on castle walls as well as any other plant which could have been used to climb. They also had to have a sound knowledge of different herbs.

Shutterstock

What is this medieval profession?

Glover

Jester

Smelter

Carpenter

A jester, sometimes called a fool, is a type of entertainer who performed at the households and palaces of monarchs and noblemen. They also performed at fairs and in market places.

Wiki Commons

What is this medieval profession?

Brick layer

Book binder

Butcher

Chimney sweep

A chimney sweep is a worker who is responsible for clearing the ash and soot that accumulates in chimneys. There were two types: the master sweep who was responsible for sweeping the chimneys and the apprentice who usually carried the materials.

BBC

What is this medieval profession?

Chain maker

Alchemist

Glass blower

Mint master

An alchemist is a person who studies a form of chemistry, specifically different methods of transmuting different metals into gold. They were also known for trying to find cures for different diseases.

Wiki Commons

What is this medieval profession?

Peddler

Perfumer

Draper

Pick pocketer

Drapers were a type of trader who specialized in importing and selling different types of fabrics and materials. They operated out of a shop but would often make house calls to the royal and noble families.

Shutterstock

What is this medieval profession?

Knight

Piper

Lady

Banker

A knight is a type of soldier and fighter who served and protected his sovereign monarch. It was considered an honor to be a knight and they were often portrayed wearing some type of armor.

Wiki Commons

What is this medieval profession?

Drover

Furrier

Mercer

Spicer

A furrier is a person who buys, sells and sometimes creates fur garments. They are also known for repairing and cleaning fur or garments with fur and products with animal hair.

Wiki Commons

What is this medieval profession?

Shrimper

Captain

Scout

Fishmonger

A fishmonger is a person who sells different types of raw seafood; in those days, it was in stalls in different markets. Today, the fish can be boned, filleted and gutted, if requested by the buyer.

BBC

What is this medieval profession?

Mariner

Pilgrim

Hobbler

Baker

A baker is someone who bakes and often sells bread and pastries at a bakery. They use a form of concentrated heat source to make the goods and in those days, it was an open hearth or some type of fireplace.

Shutterstock

What is this medieval profession?

Sail maker

Weaver

Poet

Cartier

A weaver is a person who produces textiles by using either yarn or thread on a spindle-type apparatus. Other methods of creating textiles include knitting, braiding, and crocheting the material.

Mark Pettey via Youtube

What is this medieval profession?

Herald

Carver

Courtesan

Cook

A herald was a type of officer who was charged with carrying messages to and from different places. Some of them were also tasked with making public announcements on behalf of kings and nobles.

Shutterstock

What is this medieval profession?

Butler

Miller

Watchman

Servant

Watchmen, sometimes called night-watchmen, were groups of men who helped decrease criminal activity by walking around to monitor different places. They were also tasked with recovering stolen goods and being on fire watch.

BBC

What is this medieval profession?

Pilgrim

Beggar

Farmer

Serf

A farmer is a person who owns or manages one or more of the many different types of farms that exist. They typically participate in growing crops and raising livestock for consumption.

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